Nature, Animals & Marine Science Camps in Charlotte
Is your child the one who stops to look at every bug on the sidewalk? Do they dream of swimming with dolphins or digging for T-Rex bones? At Discovery Place Science in Uptown Charlotte, our Nature & Animal Science summer camps turn that fascination with the living world into a summer of discovery.
Perfect for future veterinarians, marine biologists, and paleontologists, these camps go beyond the textbook. Campers get up close with Animal Ambassadors, explore our onsite Aquarium and Rainforest, and use scientific tools to understand the ecosystems that share our planet.
Life Science Camps by Grade Level
Explore the wild world of biology, zoology, and paleontology.
Kindergarten (Ages 5-6)
Deep Sea Divers
Theme: Marine Science
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 27 – 31
The Adventure: From the sandy beach to the deepest trenches, the ocean is full of magic. Campers will dive into habitat investigations, learning how sea creatures—from crabs to whales—live, eat, and play. It is a wet and wild introduction to marine biology.
Animal Adventures
Theme: Zoology
Dates: June 29 – July 3 | August 3 – 7
The Adventure: Our planet is a zoo! Future zoologists will meet real Animal Ambassadors and learn about the unique life cycles, senses, and habitats of amazing creatures from around the world. This camp focuses on empathy, observation, and understanding our furry, scaly, and feathered friends.
1st & 2nd Grade (Ages 6-8)
Underwater Discoveries
Theme: Marine Biology
Dates: June 29 – July 3 | July 20 – 24 | August 10 – 14
The Adventure: Discover your inner marine biologist! Campers explore the hidden world below the waves, from exploring shipwrecks to meeting sharks in our aquarium. There is no shortage of mysteries to be solved in the deep blue sea.
Age of the Dinosaurs
Theme: Paleontology
Dates: June 15 – 19 | July 6 – 10 | July 27 – 31
The Adventure: Travel back in time to the prehistoric era. Using real paleontology skills, campers will “dig” for dinosaurs, collect fossils, study prehistoric adaptations, and curate their own museum exhibition to showcase their discoveries.
3rd & 4th Grade (Ages 8-10)
Investigation: Discovery Place
Theme: Biology & Forensics
Dates: June 29 – July 3 | July 27 – 31
The Adventure: Life science is full of mysteries. In this advanced investigative camp, participants explore the truth behind medical anomalies and view specimens of strange species. It’s a perfect fit for the camper who loves biology but wants to solve complex puzzles.
Why Choose Discovery Place for Nature Science?
Live Animal Encounters
Unlike standard summer camps, we have a living collection of animals. Campers don’t just look at pictures; they observe live species in our Aquarium and Rainforest, learning directly from the animals themselves.
Real Scientific Tools
We trade crafts for science. Campers use microscopes to examine water samples, paleontology tools to excavate mock fossils, and biology kits to understand animal anatomy.
Conservation Focus
We teach children that they are stewards of the earth. Our curriculum emphasizes conservation, teaching campers how their actions impact habitats—from the Charlotte Piedmont to the Great Barrier Reef.
Frequently Asked Questions (Nature & Animal Camps)
Q: Will my child touch the animals?
A: Safety for both our campers and our animals is our top priority. While there are opportunities for up-close encounters with our Animal Ambassadors, all interactions are supervised by trained animal care staff.
Q: Is “Age of the Dinosaurs” just digging in sand?
A: Not at all! While we do have excavation simulations, the camp also covers the science of fossilization, comparative anatomy (how dino bones compare to ours), and the history of life on Earth.
Q: My child has allergies. Are these camps safe?
A: We take allergies very seriously. Please list all allergies on your registration form. While we are an animal-friendly facility, we have strict protocols to ensure the safety of campers with pet dander or food allergies.